Soto Ayam – Indonesian Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

1.5 gallons water

1 small broiler chicken

3 lemongrass pieces, smashed

5 indian bayleaf if you have it (do not substitute regular bay leaf)

5 kefir lime leaves

1 stick of celery

Salt and white pepper to your taste

Better than bullion or other chicken base of your choice.

Blended spice mix;

8 cloves of garlic

5 shallots

1, 2 inch piece ginger peeled

2 fingers turmeric peeled

1 inch chunk galangal

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

Cooking oil

Toppings:

Cooked thin rice noodles

Bean sprouts

Thinly sliced cabbage

4 boiled eggs peeled

Garnish

Thinely sliced scallions

Thinly sliced crispy fried shallots or in a pinch french’s fried crispy onion

Chopped italian parsley

Lime wedges

Instructions:

Clean chicken and simmer in the water with lemon grass, lime leaves , indian bay leaf, celery stick, until chicken is done. Remove chicken from the broth to cool. Strain the broth to remove leaves.

Make a spice paste using your blender or food processor from the listed spice paste ingredients. Process until smooth. Sautee in the cooking oil until it’s smells aromatic.

Add spice paste to the reserved chicken broth. And simmer for about 40 minutes.

Add salt, white pepper to taste. Adjust the chicken base/better than bullion now if desired.

While soup simmer’s shred the chicken and prepare toppings.

Add toppings to a bowl, ladle hot soup over the top. Garnish with crispy shallots, chopped parsley and and squeeze in the lime. Top with sambal olek if you like, enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size: 1 bowl of soup with toppings

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Soto Ayam?

Soto Ayam is a traditional Indonesian chicken soup known for its rich, aromatic broth and a blend of flavorful spices.

It is typically served with various toppings.

What are the essential spices in the blended spice mix?

The blended spice mix includes garlic, shallots, ginger, turmeric, galangal, ground cumin, and ground coriander, providing the soup with its distinctive taste.

Can I substitute regular bay leaf for Indian bay leaf?

While Indian bay leaf is preferred for authenticity, you can use regular bay leaf as a substitute if needed.

What’s the purpose of lemongrass in the soup?

Lemongrass adds a citrusy and herbal flavor to the broth, enhancing the overall taste of the Soto Ayam.

Is Better than Bouillon a suitable alternative for chicken base?

Yes, Better than Bouillon or other chicken bases can be used to enhance the chicken flavor of the broth.

Can I make this soup with pre-cooked chicken?

Yes, if you have pre-cooked chicken, you can skip the initial simmering step and add the shredded cooked chicken directly to the spiced broth.

What are common toppings for Soto Ayam?

Common toppings include cooked thin rice noodles, bean sprouts, thinly sliced cabbage, peeled boiled eggs, sliced scallions, crispy fried shallots, chopped Italian parsley, and lime wedges.

How long should I simmer the spice paste in oil?

Sautee the spice paste until it becomes aromatic, usually for 3-5 minutes.

This process enhances the flavors of the spices.

Can I customize the spice level?

Yes, you can adjust the spice level by adding or reducing ingredients like white pepper, and you can also incorporate sambal olek for additional heat.

Can I make Soto Ayam in advance?

Yes, you can make the broth and store it separately from the toppings.

Assemble the soup and toppings when ready to serve for the freshest taste.